Stephen Bender

Chief Executive Officer, President

About Steve

After beginning his insurance career as a company underwriter, Steve joined the family business in 1972 as a Broker specializing in Commercial Insurance. He quickly established a large book of clientele. In 1986, he became President, managing all operations of the Agency. In 2003, he shed some of his managerial duties and now serves as CEO. His leadership has taken the Agency from a $725,000 to over $6.5MM in revenue today, based on sales of over $72 million.

Mission

As CEO, he is dedicated to instituting the founding values of the Warren G. Bender Co. and achieving the vision set forth by its owners and employees: to be the finest, independent, locally owned insurance and risk management brokerage in its marketing region, serving the best interests of it’s clients and communities.

Education

He is a graduate of the University of the Pacific-School of Business, and holds the following coveted industry certifications: Certified Insurance Counselor and Certified Risk Manager. He has taken a leadership role within the Insurance Industry with his involvement in the Insurance Brokers and Agents of Sacramento and California and the Western Association of Insurance Brokers, where he received the following awards: Producer-Professional of the Year, and Independent Agent of the Year.

In The Community

Community give-back is at the core of WGBCO with Steve leading by example. He has served on the Boards of Methodist Hospital, Sacramento Theatre Company, Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Clubs of Sacramento and Auburn, and Stanford Home. As a leader, Steve has been President of the Board for Sacramento Ballet, Sacramento Active 20-30 Club #1, Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Bethlehem Lutheran Church and the Capital Region Family Business Center. In recognition, Steve was presented the Business Person of the Year Award by the Sac Metro Chamber, and in 2006 accepted, on behalf of WGBCO, the Annual Induction into the Sac Metro Chamber Hall of Fame.

Personal

Steve and his bride of 40+ years, Nancy, have three amazing daughters. Steve’s hobbies include fly fishing, endurance events (LLS Team In Training) and backpacking the high Sierras and beyond.